Predicting Sweden's Starting XI for Euro 2020 This Summer
With one of their most promising squads in years, Sweden will be looking to send shockwaves around Europe at Euro 2020.
The Blagult have qualified for their sixth consecutive European Championship, and after their best World Cup in 24 years, they will be dreaming of similar fate in Europe’s showpiece tournament. With a talented squad and recent success, Sweden can go far.
Janne Andersson has some big calls to make ahead of the summer, but here’s our prediction for his first starting eleven against Spain on 15th June.
Goalkeeper and Defenders
Robin Olsen (GK) – There seems to be little doubt over Andersson’s selection between the sticks, with Olsen featuring in all but one of Sweden’s qualifiers. The on-loan Roma goalkeeper was an unused player in the Euro 2016 squad that bowed out at the group stages, and Olsen’s time to shine as number one has come four years later.
Mikael Lustig (RB) – At 33 years old, Lustig is still in fine form for his national side. His 82 caps are a testament to his service to Sweden, having played eight times in qualifying and looking likely to retain his spot at right-back for the summer.
Victor Lindelof (CB) – Lindelof has found the favour of Andersson as he also begins to really find his feet at Manchester United with 24 league appearances this season. He faces tough competition at centre-back with Filip Helander and Pontus Jansson, and while it gives Andersson a tough decision, Lindelof looks to be a sure choice.
Andreas Granqvist (CB) – It goes without saying that Granqvist is one of the first names on the Blagult team sheet, making seven appearances in qualifying. The 2017 Swedish footballer of the year has been at the heart of Sweden’s defence for years, and will be key if the Scandinavians want to go far this summer.
Pierre Bengtsson (LB) – Bengtsson completes this back four, one which has experience to show for its average age of 31. The Copenhagen defender has never scored for his country in nine years of representing Sweden, though there’d be no better occasion to change that than this summer.
Midfielders
Sebastian Larsson (RM) – Larsson has the most experience by far in the Sweden squad, well clear of a century of caps. The 34-year-old AIK midfielder scored two goals en route to Euro 2020 and is one of the Swedes’ best players, leading the attack well.
Kristoffer Olsson (CM) – Sweden have found their midfield partnership for the tournament, and one half of that is Kristoffer Olsson of Krasnodar. He was one of just two players to feature in every single qualifier, as he sits in the middle of the Swedish midfield pulling the strings.
Albin Ekdal (CM) – Ekdal seems likely to sit alongside Olsson at Euro 2020, having played together as a double pivot in seven qualifiers. The Sampdoria midfielder has 50 caps in an international career spanning almost a decade, with 22 season appearances in Serie A.
Emil Forsberg (LM) - After failing to shine in 2016, Forsberg will be driven to make an impact this time round. The 28-year-old is the poster boy for club and country, with nine goals and four assists for Bundesliga high fliers RB Leipzig in another impressive domestic season for the Swedish winger.
Forwards
Robin Quaison (FW) – Quaison will be Sweden’s danger man going into the tournament, with his five goals making him their top scorer in qualifying. The 26-year-old has burst onto the scene and gained the full backing of Andersson, and will be their main threat going forward at the Euros.
Alexander Isak (FW) – Amongst all of the regulars, Isak is the Swedish newcomer to watch out for this summer. Despite making his debut in 2017, the qualifying campaign was where the 20-year-old established himself in the Sweden setup, impressing with three goals in Group F. Isak is a bright young talent for the Blagult, and could have a huge tournament ahead of him.
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